Over the Hedge is a cute and fun animated movie that comes off as being a strange hybrid of being a Dreamworks movie that looks and feels more like a Pixar one. And like any good animated film, there is a lot more going on than what meets the eye. Unlike Pixar's Cars, Over the Hedge contains a cast of characters (in this case squirrels, racoons and other such creatures) that are all designed so well and each have their own characteristic that you can't help but get attached to them. The animation is crisp, and for me shines above every other animated film this year in visuals. Over the Hedge works well for adults and the younger audience as it contains a nice mix or both slapstick humour and more sophisticated "adult" jokes. I loved the movies social commentary on suburbia and RJ's speech on how human life exists only to eat, this worked really well for me, and helped elevate it as being more than a mindless kids flick. The cast of voice actors for the most part are well chosen. Bruce Willis sounds like he is having a fun time as the lovable roque RJ. Steve Carell is great for the "sugar rushed" squirrell (who I can imagine kids going crazy for) Hammy and Gary Shandling makes a great Turtle leader as Verne. Over the Hedge then, is one that delights both kids and parents (and me!) and even has time to say something interesting on our own way of life which really hits quite close to home.
rating: 3.5
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Over the Hedge is not without it's flaws and really begins to lose it's way towards the end with the "family as the most important thing" storyline seemingly tagged onto the end. I found it really entertaining though, and although not up to the standard of say Toy Story or Shrek, it is still a worthy animated film.